i'm headed to school wednesday and was wanting to get my rear end changed before i go back to classes at OSU. if i have 2 Z28s parked side by side in my dad's garage and i'm an amatuer, slow workin dumba$$, how long do you think i can get the complete swap done so i can drive both cars out of the garage?
my experience on that end of the car consists of doing shocks and rear springs and also exhaust.
if it's too much of a job, i'll just put it off till christmas break when ihave more time. if it's not bad, i'll get'er done so i can try it out before i put the car in storage.

Thanks,
Michael.

 

Although it is a simple swap, i would DEFNINITLY wait. I spent a lot of time prepping the new axle and did some other work at the same time so i can't tell you i took me exactly x hours. You're talking about getting both cars back together, so that is definitly working against you.

 

it took me from 5 hrs to swap mine in.

 

I also swapped my rear and it took far less time than 5hrs. It was more like 3. I did prep the rear painting/ removing the brakes from the old rear and changed gear oil. I had a complete rear and there was no reason to change my old brakes. With the right tools and a buddy I did it and my buddy had no clue what to do on a car.

Good luck

 

but did you have to reinstall the old rearend back in the doner car? i guess i should probably plan for 6 hours of work and having a buddy to help then. i just hope everything hooks up and works correctly once i get it back together! i've got a 97 with 2.73's and i will be putting 3.42's our of my old 94 in it.
oh and by the way, thanks for the replies everyone!

Michael.

 

swaps don't take too long at all...if you do it yourself it can take around 5-6 hours...have someone do it that knows how won't take half that time...

 

Your 97 doesn't have traction control does it?

I don't know your situation exactly, but i know i wouldn't be trying anything like that unless the car is already in the spot where its going to be staying

As easy as the swap is, like anything there are unexpected things that could go wrong. Lets say your panhard rod bolt gets fugged up and you have to order another one from the dealer. (yes one of mine snapped) I'm sure you could move the car around in your driveway a little bit without the panhard rod, but you couldn't drive anywhere.

 

yeah i have traction control! ...it's call 2.73 gears! oh you mean the electronic traction control, well then no i don't have that on eiher rear end. unless my 97 has 4-channel brakes and my 94 doesn't then i think eveything will bolt right up. i understand what you're saying about unexpected things going wrong. when i did struts/shocks and springs, my front sway bar links busted off when i was taking the car apart. then when i took it out for a drive, the strut mounts blew so i had to do it all over again! i am going to wait till winter now.
thanks,
Michael.